A Cool Day--in Everything.

Today's high temperature was: 60 degrees

Cloudy all day

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Autumn is on his way, Dear Friends.  I call autumn "HE" because he's cloudy and rainy and tearing the leaves off the trees.  Men are destructive that way, you know--and grumpy!

I sure didn't do much today.  I need another project!  I think I will swap out my clothes in the closet tomorrow--I think we are done with warm weather, until we get our freeze and then Indian Summer--around the 24th.

After my Soap (which is really good right now), I drove into Howell to go to the doc's to get my flu shot and my prescriptions renewed for another six months.  He wants to see me every three months, I think every year, so we compromised on every six months.  

As I walked into the waiting room, there was this enormous black man sitting in one of the chairs.  It startled me as this area is as white as snow.  I've only seen half a dozen black people in the 10 years I've lived here. He had on more gold then Fort Knox.  A big gold ring on all eight fingers.  A huge gold watch and bracelet on his left wrist and two enormous gold cuff bracelet's on his right wrist.  He stood up and the pockets on the back of his blue jeans were stitched with gold thread--gold eagles.  He talked about how he was getting ready to go to West Palm Beach for a few months, then on to California--spending all winter with friends.  I thought he must be a retired athlete or something.  When I asked if he were coming back in the spring, he said, "Yes.  I got me a new place at Oak Manor."  Oak Manor is a government subsidized apartment building for old people.  

Then, the nurse called me into the inner part of the offices and there was, standing in the hall, petting the doc's big Golden Retriever, a small woman with reddish hair.  She looked up and............

Recognize her?

She had on no make-up, no jewelry and her hair is shorter, but...I knew her instantly.  As I walked past to my appointed room, I nodded and said, "Hi."

Then I got in the room and fainted!  No, not really.  My nurse was all agog anyway and we whispered a bit.

Melissa Gilbert and her new husband, Timothy Busfield, got married early summer and moved almost immediately to Howell, end of July. I knew that, but didn't think I'd ever run into her.  They wanted to get back to "normal", small town living.  He is from Lansing, so they chose Howell.  I don't know why.  There are a lot of nicer towns near Lansing, but if they wanted small, they got it.  She just wants to live a quiet life, with neighbor's who bake casseroles and get together for coffee and talk about their kids.  They don't want to be hounded.

Of course, I wanted to gush and all that, but I stayed cool.  

At my doctor's office?  He is not the best known doc in the area, by far.  I just can't believe it!!

When he walked into my room, he says, "Why are you here?"

"Because you told me you wanted to see me, but I don't need seeing.  Nothing has changed since May, in fact, I feel better then I did then.

"Okay.  Get going.  No wait--as long as you had to wait for me, I'll see you."

"Just lay a stethoscope on my chest--tell me why my blood pressure and heart rate are low and that will do for today."

He left the room to go find his stethoscope.  When he opened up his practice seven years ago, I was his first patient, other then his referrals from the nursing home.  He is head of the nursing home in Howell.

He came back in.

I said, "My, my.  Doctor to the celebrities are you now?

"Did you recognize her?"

"Yes.  Of course."

"I didn't even know who she was!"

"By the way--was that guy with all the gold a celebrity too?"

"I don't think so," says the doc.  "He might be for all of me."

"You'll be so high falutin', you won't even want to see me anymore."

"I'll always want to see you!  You are my first and my best patient!"

So he said my blood pressure and heart rate are just fine and they are low because I am so healthy now.  Then he waved me out and said, "Be back in January!"

"I'll see you in March," I replied.

Michelle, the nurse came back in for my flu shot and I said, "Well, aren't you all coming up in the world?  A real life celebrity!  She didn't look sick to me."

Michelle said, "Well, I can't say--private information you know.  HIPPO laws and all that, but....." she whispered, "apparently she picked up a chipmunk and it bit her."

"After all those years on the prairie, you'd think she'd know enough not to mess with the critters, wouldn't you?" said I.    

We had a good laugh.

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Then I stopped at Wal-Mart, where I knew, I'd never see Melissa Gilbert--no doubt she shops at the Rich People's store.  I got some Diet Pepsi and potato chips and some frozen Taquitos.  Such a diet--no wonder I am so healthy!  Eh?

After watching the ballgame, I noticed how dark it was outside and thought, probably bedtime.  I forgot the game came on at 4:00--it was only 8:00.  I do not like these early dark nights!!!

Monday MIsh-Mash

Today's high temperature was:  64 degrees

Sunny and gorgeous--again and again and again

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Saturday was my football, baseball day.  Every team I was rooting for won.  A good day.

Sunday, I did not go to church.  Every Sunday for the rest of the month we are having quest speakers, missionaries, join the church membership day--<yawn>!  Sorry.

I watched the Tiger/Red Sox game, so I didn't get to bed until 1:00 and then couldn't get to sleep until 4:00.

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Woke up this morning at 10:00 and the phone range--it was Pearl.  "Can you come right down?"

So, I jumped into my clothes and trotted up to her house.  Walked in and she said, "You look terrible!  Are you sick?  You are as white as a sheet!"

I did look terrible, but I guess I didn't need to hear her tell me.  "I thought it was an emergency.  You sounded like something was wrong."

":No--nothing wrong.  I just wondered if you want to go to the cider mill with me and Merle one day this week."

No decision was made on what day to go, so I came back home and did my morning routine.

I decided to do laundry and clean up this house.  So much junk in this computer room, where I have thrown all my painting supplies and other stuff.

Maggie likes to play with her mousie toys and chase them around the kitchen floor.  Most of them end up under the chest of drawers that I use for storage and pantry.  Every week, I have to slide it way out from the wall, and then slide it back, so the mousie's are revealed.  She was sleeping, but heard me moving the chest and out she came.  She was very happy to see her pets.  I decided to put all but one, up on the counter.  If I leave them all out, all will be gone by bedtime.

I was vacuuming the bedroom and all of a sudden, it felt like Fred was laying in the bed.  I had my back turned to the bed and I knew if I turned around, he would be there.  I didn't want to, but I turned around and then I just sat on the bed and sobbed.

What brought that on, is beyond me!   I was just vacuuming!  Not even thinking of him and BAM!  Made me sad and depressed for the rest of the day.  GOOD GRIEF!!!  He isn't here and he isn't ever going to be here.  He's dead!  He is gone!  I know that!  Why oh why, did I get hit so hard?
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I continued to clean and dust and scrub counter tops and spritz windows and then I went outside and planted 40 Tulip bulbs, 25 huge Daffodil bulbs, and 100 Early Snow Glories--dug and planted until I thought I would fall over with the pain in my back.  I have already planted 100 Snow glories in my front yard three years ago and so I have 100 more planted.  They come up through the snow and they are so pretty flowing all over the lawn.  Tiny little bulbs, like Crocus, but all over the yard.

I came in and watched my soap and then back out to vacuum out the car.  Something I have had on my To-Do list since May.  I finally have everything on my list, that I made in May, all done.    I filled up the bird feeders, put stuff away in the shed until next Spring and finished up the laundry.  I thought all the activity would drive the thoughts of sadness out of my mind, but instead--I can hear Fred's voice, "Honey, the porch looks beautiful.  You did a great job!"  because he would have been sitting in his chair, watching through the front door, as I sanded and painted.

Then, I made an appointment with the doc for tomorrow, to get my flu shot and all my prescriptions refilled.  He wanted to see me, but I see no sense in that as I haven't changed a bit since I last saw him.

Then, I made an appointment with the Chiropractor on Wednesday afternoon for a massage and an adjustment.

On Thursday, I go to lunch with the old gal pals and visit my sister.

I am going to fill up this week, so I don't think.  I have to keep real busy.  I dread winter because there is so much time, inside, doing nothing.  Sitting in my chair crocheting or cross stitching and thinking.  I am lonely, but I guess not lonely enough to get out and spend the afternoon with a bunch of old people I don't know, at the Senior Center.  I would have to be beyond desperation to do that!!

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We are expecting rain and much cooler temperatures for the next week or so.  I am so glad I have everything done in time.  That was my goal and I have achieved it.  Wish I had more goals--it is going to get real boring around here for the next five months!!!  

Motion sensors

In case you are interested on where to get the stair lights.


http://www.improvementscatalog.com/motion-sensor-outdoor-lights-set-of-3/10832

NOW--It's Done!

Today's high temperature was:  72 degrees

Sunny and gorgeous once again.

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I started a colon cleanse on Wednesday--TMI, I know.  It didn't seem to work so Wednesday night, I drank two glasses of prune juice, a glass of Miralax and took one of my "Natural Moves" super duty, extra strength laxative pills.  

Susan and Chuck stopped in yesterday afternoon, on their way home from Staples and Lowe's and just before they were getting ready to leave, I felt a great rumbly in my tumbly!  

It's like when you are at Yellowstone National Park and you are waiting for Old Faithful to explode into the air.  A bit of gas escapes.  You hear the rumbling in the bowels of the earth and then---WE HAVE AN EXPLOSIVE GEYSER!!

I walked with them to the front porch, they made a few comments, then walked down and got in their car.  Susan didn't even have her door closed and I was running down the hall to the bathroom.

The rest of the day and part of the night held all the anticipation and excitement of a colonoscopy prep!!  This morning, I have decided I need to stay close to home the rest of today too.  

As my Grandma used to say, as she brought out the bottle of Castor Oil, "Twice a year, you need a good cleaning out."

I am so squeaky clean I can't even begin to tell you!!!
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I decided I had enough strength to really finish up the porch, so I put out my new small flag, I put the treads on the steps and nailed them down on a top and bottom corner and in the middle, put the new door mat in front of the front door and...decided to put up the motion sensor lights on the top and bottom posts of the steps.  Thus, enabling me to see the steps if I am ever out after dark, which is rare, but.....just in case.

I have to say, the hardest part of this whole job was putting up those two lights!!!!!  They had sticky tape to use to anchor them, but the battery compartment is in the back.  When the batteries die, how am I to get the sensor light off the tape and then hope it goes back on and sticks.  I had to screw the mounting brackets to the posts and hang the lights from them.

If you have been paying attention to my life story, you know I have very little strength in my hands--arthritis and all.  I also have a tremor in my right hand.  Sometimes I go to put a forkful of food in my mouth and my right hand jumps and the food ends up in my nose (not really, but kind of).  

So I marked where I wanted the bracket to go, lined up the holes, held the teeniest screw in my left index finger and thumb and tried to line up the Phillips head screwdriver with the teeny screw.  Of course my right hand trembled and jumped and I jabbed the screwdriver into my index finger and thumb.  GEEZ LOUISE!!!

I finally got the screw started so that I could take my "guiding" fingers away, but trying to get enough strength in my right arm and hand to push the screw in, was a real pain.  I counted how many turns of the screwdriver it took, so that I would know, so I could count with each screw to know, how many turns it took and I would know how far I had to go.  (This is where the obsessiveness comes out.)  At least, it gave me something to concentrate on, as I turned the screwdriver and counted away.  40 turns--do you know how much strength that takes?  I was thinking of running up to Lowe's to purchase a battery operated screwdriver, but I don't plan on screwing anymore in my life!!!

My whole arm was shaking by the time I was done with four screws and snapped the sensors in place and my right hand still aches, but IT IS DONE AND DONE!!!

If you enlarge and look, you can see the lights on the bottom

and top post--right over the steps--right where anyone who

comes to visit will no doubt bump into them and

knock them off.

AND--when I step out on the porch after dark--look what happens.

These are the neatest thing I have ever thought of buying!!!

I already have swept the leaves off the porch because...everywhere a leaf lies for any length of time, it puts a leaf-shaped mark on the stain.  Must be the acid in the leaves?

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Now, I have to plant the 50 tulip and daffodil bulbs that are stored in my car for safe keeping.  If I live through the winter, it should be beautiful around here next spring.  If I don't live through the winter, at least it will look better and Pammie will get a better price for this place!

It's Done!

Today's high temperature was:  70 degrees

Perfect

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Answers to comments:

Jean--I checked with the probate court in Genesee County (Flint), where the Will would have to be probated.  It had not been entered as of last month.  The clerk also told me that if everything was in Trust, the Will might not have to be probated.  If it IS--it is open for public viewing.  In the case of my Dad's Will, everyone listed as a beneficiary, got a copy of the Will.  What makes us uneasy is that Susan and I were told by our Dad that two of his investment accounts were in our name, but when he died, all were in Helen's name.  Some, signed with his name, suspiciously did not look like his signature--they had a backward slant.  She is left handed.  Then my grand daughter saw Helen, two days before the funeral, shredding a lot of papers.  We have known this woman all our lives, as they were next door neighbors and we all grew up and took family vacations together.  Even though she caused a lot of trouble between our family members, after she and Dad married, we just can't believe she would lie to us.

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Ernestine--my father had a two million dollar estate.  Much of it was land, which thankfully remains in the family, but a million was invested in varying accounts.  He was the only child--so he received all of the land and money from four generations--150 years.  It hurts to think that my family's hard work and heritage is going to someone else-- just about makes me physically sick.
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Jeanette--I have never confronted anyone or anything in my life--that is what has caused me a lot of problems--just not saying anything and waiting for good to come out of it--which is rarely does.  It is his mother-in-law, and I never would say a bad thing about her to them.  If she did lie, my statement to him of, "Then why would she tell us that?" would let him know she lied to us.

There are people who everyone in the community thinks is wonderful and yet they treat their own family like crap.  Look at Bing Crosby--everyone in the world thought he was wonderful.  Then you hear about the way he abused his kids and you just can't put the two personalities together.  Everyone in our community thought my Dad and Step-Mother were the epitome of fairness and goodness--and they were!  To everyone except family!   No one would believe us if we told the truth about them.  And it would destroy a lot of people's remembrances and feelings about them, so we won't say a word--to anyone else.
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Balisha--feets up!!

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Grandma K--my sister and I used to say that.  "Wow--there really is something true about those fairy tales and the wicked step mother!"  Just glad we didn't have to live with her!

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Thanks Sally.  You be careful working too.
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I will put the treads on the steps tomorrow.

A Good "Fall" Day!

Today's high temperature was: 67 degrees

Sunny and gorgeous!

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You guessed it, Julie.  The Leap of Faith.

I sent off a small, breezy note to my step-brother-in-law.  I didn't accuse anyone.  I just acted like we knew we had trusts coming from the step-mother and wondered when we might see them.  It has been six months.

Do you think this note is all right?

Hi Alan,

I am assuming that you are the executor of Helen’s estate.  We hadn’t heard anything and wondered if her Will had been probated or when we would have the paperwork transferred to us of the two trust funds. 

If you could let me know, I would appreciate it.

Thanks~~ Jude

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I am assuming he will call--have waited for the call all day--have been outside to avoid the call--because I am very nervous.  If he says, I don't know about any trust funds, I will just calmly explain to him that Helen told Susan and I that we would get the rest of our Dad's estate and she said she had put them into trusts.

I KNOW she didn't!  I KNOW she lied to us.  I KNOW she stole 2/3's of our Dad's estate that was suppose to come to my sister and I.  I KNOW it, but I am not going to let the steps get away with pretending everything is fine.  

I won't accuse.  When he tells me there are no trusts, I will be quiet for 2 or 3 heart beats and then say, "I don't know what to say.  I am stunned," or something like that.  I won't call her a liar, I will say something like, "Why would she tell us that?"

I will be very cordial and nice and then, my last sentence will be, "You are a damn Liberal.  You are always wanting to help the poor and take from the rich.  Well--I'm poor and you're rich so send me my money!!!"

Only kidding!!!  

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It was foggy and cold this morning, so I went into town before finishing up on the porch.

I planned all my stops, so that I wouldn't have to turn left on the busy streets.  Headed east and stopped to get my car wash on $1.00 off Wednesday, then on up east to the Rich People's store for some salads and CAKE and milk.  Then stopped at the ACE hardware to find a filter for the air purifier--they had none.  So headed back west and stopped at Meijers, to pick up the filter, and got the cutest zip up with pockets, fleece-like jacket--$14.00 and it looks real cute and slim on me.  Then I stopped at JoAnn's for some baby soft yarn to make a baby afghan for my chiropractor's receptionist, she's having a girl,  and then on, back home.

I got home, just before my soap started and then afterwards, got out on the porch.  I got the second coat of grey on the floor and steps.  I noticed a few spots on the spindles where I had hit the white with grey and decided to touch them up, BUT, I had to wait for the grey to dry.  

I had two large holes in the white risers, where the knots had fallen out, so I put some white duct tape over them and gave the risers a third coat and touched up the spindles and the railings again.

I was done with the last riser and went to step back and the plastic chair from the porch was right behind me.  It hit the back of my knees and I sat down hard.  Then the dang thing rocked backwards and we both crashed down on the cement driveway.  The chair broke in two.

I lay there for a few moments, paint brush still in hand.  As I was going down, I held it up in the air so I wouldn't lose it and have it fly  up and then land on my car on the way down.

Both my hips were still in their sockets, I hadn't hit the back of my head, blood was pouring down my arm from where the cement and my left elbow had met--I had a terrible gash.

Figuring that nothing was broken--I lay for a couple more seconds, trying to figure out how I was going to get up off the ground.  

I rolled and scooted over to the back of my car, then sat up, but how was I going to boost myself up to a standing position?  I can't get up off the floor, let alone the ground.

I finally took a change and got on my knees--YEEOUCH!  Grabbed on the top of the trunk and put my right foot down on the ground--my oldest and best hip, and hoisted myself up.  Took at look at my gashed elbow, and headed for the back door.  As I walked past the garbage pail, I threw the paint brush in!

Put some Neosporin on my bleeding elbow and two bandages and then into the living room to sit in my chair and figure out if I was hurt anywhere else.

All appears to be good.  My tailbone, back, left shoulder and neck hurt.  Probably undid all the good the chiropractor has done for me in the last month!!!  But nothing broken.

I am lucky.  When the chair split, there was a sharp edge that could have pierced me.  Whew!  I was very lucky.

So the sealant will cure over the next couple of good weather days, and then I will put on the stair treads and the motion detector stair lights and it all will be good to go.

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An hour later, Pammie called and said, "Momma, I just wanted you to know that I finished staining my deck about an hour ago!"

"Me too!"

"Oh my gosh.  We finished at the same time on the same day."

"Yeah we did, Honey.  And it only took three weeks AND, your deck is three times the size of mine, so...you are the winner!"

Then I told her about my fall and she had a laugh--then said she was sorry, BUT "WE ARE DONE, MOMMA!  and we don't have to do it again for a long time."

"I'm NEVER going to do it again," I told her.

Then she said, "I dumped all my paint stuff, along with my spattered clothes in the garbage pail.  I kept the paint.  I used almost five gallons."

"I dumped all my paint stuff in the garbage pail too, except the roller frames, the roller tray, one plastic tray liner.  I will put all that back in the box that used to hold my paint tools that I gave away because I was never going to paint again.  I used less then two gallons and have about half left which I will store in the inside closet to keep it good--just in case I need to do the railing again.  I am NEVER going to paint those spindles again!!"

"Me either!" she exclaimed.


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I will post pictures tomorrow.  I will also keep you up to date on the Leap of Faith.  They may not have received the note.  Probably up at their summer home, renovating it with the money they got from their mother, that was my Dad's and mine and Susan's.  

GR-RR!!

A Really Good Day!

Today's high Temperature was: 67 degrees

Sunny and nice

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Because Jean asked.  This is the baby quilt I have just started on.  They come in a kit, with pattern and color chart and floss.  The quilt is all made and the design is stamped on the front of it.  Reading from a chart, I cross stitch in the appropriate colors.  I keep the stitches between the quilt front and the backing--so no stitches show on the back.

This is what it will look like when it is all done.  They sell for around $40 dollars, I just happened to get this one at the Salvation Army for $2.99!!!  I have to have something to do with my hands, while watching TV, so this, and a crochet project are always near me..................

.....stored out of sight, in this wooden box next to my chair.

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A week ago Monday, the tree across the street looked like this

Today, it looks like this.....

...and this

I got the first coat of grey on the porch floor and steps!!!  I do believe, I will finish the arduous job tomorrow!  I really like it!

This evening, I ran up to Howell to pick up some KFC for supper.  I haven't had any in years.  I got a piece of breast meat, a cup of cole slaw (theirs is the best!) and two biscuits.  $5.61--not bad and it actually tasted good.

Then I watched my Detroit Tigers win one against the Oakland A's. Thursday we go to the tie-breaker.  If Detroit loses, we are all done with baseball.  Every year, they get into the play-offs and every darn year they lose and don't make it to the Series.  We shall see.

I took a leap of faith today--we shall see how it turns out.  Either it will be well received or, I will be the black sheep of the family.  YIKES!

Later--Jude